Jackie Barrett

Jackie Barrett
Personal information
Full nameJohn Robert "Jackie" Barrett
NationalityCanadian
Born (1974-04-25) April 25, 1974 (age 50)
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Sport
SportMen's Powerlifting
Achievements and titles
Personal bests
  • Squat: 277.5 kg (2015)
  • Bench Press: 153 kg (2001)
  • Deadlift: 300 kg (2012)
  • Total: 697.5 kg (2015)
Medal record
Men's Powerlifting
Representing  Canada
Special Olympics World Summer Games
Gold medal – first place 1999 Raleigh-Durham Bench Press
Gold medal – first place 1999 Raleigh-Durham Deadlift
Gold medal – first place 1999 Raleigh-Durham Double Combination
Gold medal – first place 2007 Shanghai Squat
Gold medal – first place 2007 Shanghai Bench Press
Gold medal – first place 2007 Shanghai Deadlift
Gold medal – first place 2007 Shanghai Triple Combination
Gold medal – first place 2011 Athens Squat
Silver medal – second place 2011 Athens Bench press
Gold medal – first place 2011 Athens Deadlift
Gold medal – first place 2011 Athens Triple Combination
Gold medal – first place 2015 Los Angeles Squat[1]
Silver medal – second place 2015 Los Angeles Bench press[1]
Gold medal – first place 2015 Los Angeles Deadlift[1]
Gold medal – first place 2015 Los Angeles Triple combination[1]
Special Olympics Canada Summer Games
Gold medal – first place 1998 Sudbury, ON Bench Press
Gold medal – first place 1998 Sudbury, ON Deadlift
Gold medal – first place 1998 Sudbury, ON Double Combination
Gold medal – first place 2002 Prince Albert, SK Bench Press
Gold medal – first place 2002 Prince Albert, SK Deadlift
Gold medal – first place 2002 Prince Albert, SK Double Combination
Gold medal – first place 2006 Brandon, MB Squat
Gold medal – first place 2006 Brandon, MB Bench Press
Gold medal – first place 2006 Brandon, MB Deadlift
Gold medal – first place 2006 Brandon, MB Triple Combination
Gold medal – first place 2006 Brandon, MB Top Men's Powerlifter
Gold medal – first place 2010 London, ON Squat
Gold medal – first place 2010 London, ON Bench Press
Gold medal – first place 2010 London, ON Deadlift
Gold medal – first place 2010 London, ON Triple Combination
Gold medal – first place 2014 Vancouver, BC Squat
Gold medal – first place 2014 Vancouver, BC Bench Press
Gold medal – first place 2014 Vancouver, BC Deadlift
Gold medal – first place 2014 Vancouver, BC Triple Combination
Gold medal – first place 2014 Vancouver, BC Top Men's Powerlifter

John "Jackie" Barrett, ONL (born April 25, 1974) is a Canadian powerlifter. Barrett, who has autism, has won thirteen gold medals competing for Canada in the Special Olympics World Summer Games and retired after setting three Special Olympics records at the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles.[2][3]

Jackie is a Halifax, Nova Scotia native residing in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Biography

John "Jackie" Barrett was raised in Spryfield, a community in the urban core of Halifax. He currently resides in the Corner Brook area.

In 1980, Jackie was diagnosed with autism, a learning disability, and a speech impairment. He gradually regained his ability to talk at age six.[4]

Jackie spent most of his elementary school years in Special Education classes while he gradually normalized his academic and developmental abilities. He was enrolled in a general academic program in Grade 7 and early Grade 8, and a full academic program starting his late Grade 8 year.

At age 13, a family friend suggested that Jackie should be involved with Special Olympics. He decided to join the organization as a Swimmer.

During his high school years, Jackie lifted weights almost daily to help build his speed in Swimming.

At the 1994 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Halifax, his Team Nova Scotia Swimming Coaches took him to a Powerlifting competition and was amazed as how much weight they lifted.

Based on his coach's suggestions, Jackie took up Powerlifting in 1995 and retired from Swimming in 1996. He competed in five appearances at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, and four appearances at the Special Olympics World Summer Games as a Powerlifter.

During his Special Olympics Powerlifting Career, Jackie has set numerous Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Special Olympics Canada, and Special Olympics World Records.

Education

Jackie has a Grade 12 Academic Diploma from J. L. Ilsley High School, and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary's University.

Awards and honours

Jackie Barrett was Sport Nova Scotia "Individual Male Athlete of the Year" runner-up for 1999-2000 and 2007–2008.

In 2015, Jackie was the first Special Olympian to be a Northern Star Award nominee.[5]

Jackie was named Special Olympics Canada "Male Athlete of the Year" in 2000 and 2015, and "Dr. Frank Hayden Athlete Lifetime Achievement Award" recipient in 2015.

In 2019, Jackie was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame, becoming the first Special Olympic Athlete in its history to receive this honour.[6]

On September 1, 2021, Jackie was invested into Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, the first Special Olympian to receive that province's highest civilian honour.[7]

Jackie was officially awarded the Order of Sport, marking induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame through a virtual ceremony on October 3, 2021. He was the first Special Olympics athlete and fifth Halifax native to receive Canada's highest permanent sports honour.[8]

On October 22, 2022, Jackie was inducted into the "Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame", becoming the first Special Olympian to be an inductee to three provincial and national "Hall of Fames".[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c d ""Newfoundland Moose" wins 3 gold, 1 silver at Special Olympics World Games". cbc.ca. August 3, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  2. ^ Yvonne Zacharias (July 9, 2014). "Newfoundland powerlifter keeps smashing records at Special Olympics". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  3. ^ Devon O'Neil (August 2, 2015). "Jackie Barrett, the "Moose" of the World Games, Sets Three Records, Then Retires". ESPN. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  4. ^ Diane Crocker (October 25, 2021). "20 Questions with Halifax native and Canadian Hall of Fame Powerlifter Jackie Barrett of Corner Brook". SaltWire Network. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  5. ^ Ben Whyte (December 15, 2015). "Carey Price wins Lou Marsh Award for Canada's top athlete of 2015". The Score. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  6. ^ Allan April (November 16, 2019). "Jackie Barrett becomes first Special Olympian inducted into N.S. Sports Hall of Fame". CTV Atlantic. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  7. ^ CBC Newfoundland and Labrador (September 2, 2021). "Order of Newfoundland and Labrador invests 9 people for outstanding achievements". CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  8. ^ CBC Newfoundland and Labrador (May 31, 2020). "A league of his own: Powerlifter, Special Olympian honoured with national hall of fame induction". CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  9. ^ Atlantic Briefs Desk (September 20, 2022). "Sport Newfoundland and Labrador names 10 new hall of fame inductees". Saltwire. Retrieved March 11, 2023.